Method and apparatus for providing access of network based radio frequency identification information

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for enabling consumers to scan RFID tags using home based endpoint devices that can transmit the scanned information to network based services are disclosed. Using the RFID scanned information, consumers can then access, retrieve and view additional information regarding products, in which RFIDs are embedded, on video display devices, such as televisions or video display monitors. This product related information can include interactive technical support, companion product information, or instructional guidelines.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/258,970, filed Oct. 26, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,091, issuedNov. 6, 2012, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to communication networks and,more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing access ofnetwork based Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information incommunication networks, e.g., packet networks such as Service overInternet Protocol (SoIP) networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As extremely high bandwidth access networks become more accessible toresidential subscribers, they enable service providers of these networksto integrate voice, video, and data, thereby providing more conveniencefor end customers and creating new service opportunities. Due to themulti-service nature of these new services, networks need to provideadditional functionalities to end customers to support integratedcontrol of these different types of services. For example, consumerswill increasingly be buying products that will have Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) tags embedded in them for inventory controlpurposes and other business applications. Information stored in RFIDtags can be used to help retrieve useful information related to theseproducts.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for providing accessof network based Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information in apacket network, e.g., a SoIP network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention enables consumers to scan RFIDtags using home based endpoint devices that can transmit the scannedinformation to network based services. Using the RFID scannedinformation, consumers can then access, retrieve and view additionalinformation regarding products, in which RFIDs are embedded, on videodisplay devices, such as televisions or video display monitors. Thisproduct related information can include interactive technical support,companion product information, or instructional guidelines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teaching of the present invention can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)network related to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP)network related to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of providing access of network based RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) information in a packet network, e.g., aSoIP network, of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing access ofnetwork based Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information in apacket network, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a high level block diagram of a general purposecomputer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates acommunication architecture 100 having an example network, e.g., a packetnetwork such as a VoIP network related to the present invention.Exemplary packet networks include Internet protocol (IP) networks,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks, frame-relay networks, and thelike. An IP network is broadly defined as a network that uses InternetProtocol to exchange data packets. Thus, a VoIP network or a SoIP(Service over Internet Protocol) network is considered an IP network.

In one embodiment, the VoIP network may comprise various types ofcustomer endpoint devices connected via various types of access networksto a carrier (a service provider) VoIP core infrastructure over anInternet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) based corebackbone network. Broadly defined, a VoIP network is a network that iscapable of carrying voice signals as packetized data over an IP network.The present invention is described below in the context of anillustrative VoIP network. Thus, the present invention should not beinterpreted to be limited by this particular illustrative architecture.

The customer endpoint devices can be either Time Division Multiplexing(TDM) based or IP based. TDM based customer endpoint devices 122, 123,134, and 135 typically comprise of TDM phones or Private Branch Exchange(PBX). IP based customer endpoint devices 144 and 145 typically compriseIP phones or IP PBX. The Terminal Adaptors (TA) 132 and 133 are used toprovide necessary interworking functions between TDM customer endpointdevices, such as analog phones, and packet based access networktechnologies, such as Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) or Cable broadbandaccess networks. TDM based customer endpoint devices access VoIPservices by using either a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 120,121 or a broadband access network via a TA 132 or 133. IP based customerendpoint devices access VoIP services by using a Local Area Network(LAN) 140 and 141 with a VoIP gateway or router 142 and 143,respectively.

The access networks can be either TDM or packet based. A TDM PSTN 120 or121 is used to support TDM customer endpoint devices connected viatraditional phone lines. A packet based access network, such as FrameRelay, ATM, Ethernet or IP, is used to support IP based customerendpoint devices via a customer LAN, e.g., 140 with a VoIP gateway androuter 142. A packet based access network 130 or 131, such as DSL orCable, when used together with a TA 132 or 133, is used to support TDMbased customer endpoint devices.

The core VoIP infrastructure comprises of several key VoIP components,such the Border Element (BE) 112 and 113, the Call Control Element (CCE)111, VoIP related Application Servers (AS) 114, and Media Server (MS)115. The BE resides at the edge of the VoIP core infrastructure andinterfaces with customers endpoints over various types of accessnetworks. A BE is typically implemented as a Media Gateway and performssignaling, media control, security, and call admission control andrelated functions. The CCE resides within the VoIP infrastructure and isconnected to the BEs using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) overthe underlying IP/MPLS based core backbone network 110. The CCE istypically implemented as a Media Gateway Controller or a softswitch andperforms network wide call control related functions as well asinteracts with the appropriate VoIP service related servers whennecessary. The CCE functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent and is asignaling endpoint for all call legs between all BEs and the CCE. TheCCE may need to interact with various VoIP related Application Servers(AS) in order to complete a call that require certain service specificfeatures, e.g. translation of an E.164 voice network address into an IPaddress.

For calls that originate or terminate in a different carrier, they canbe handled through the PSTN 120 and 121 or the Partner IP Carrier 160interconnections. For originating or terminating TDM calls, they can behandled via existing PSTN interconnections to the other carrier. Fororiginating or terminating VoIP calls, they can be handled via thePartner IP carrier interface 160 to the other carrier.

In order to illustrate how the different components operate to support aVoIP call, the following call scenario is used to illustrate how a VoIPcall is setup between two customer endpoints. A customer using IP device144 at location A places a call to another customer at location Z usingTDM device 135. During the call setup, a setup signaling message is sentfrom IP device 144, through the LAN 140, the VoIP Gateway/Router 142,and the associated packet based access network, to BE 112. BE 112 willthen send a setup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIPis used, to CCE 111. CCE 111 looks at the called party information andqueries the necessary VoIP service related application server 114 toobtain the information to complete this call. In one embodiment, theApplication Server (AS) functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent. IfBE 113 needs to be involved in completing the call; CCE 111 sendsanother call setup message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used,to BE 113. Upon receiving the call setup message, BE 113 forwards thecall setup message, via broadband network 131, to TA 133. TA 133 thenidentifies the appropriate TDM device 135 and rings that device. Oncethe call is accepted at location Z by the called party, a callacknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OK response messageif SIP is used, is sent in the reverse direction back to the CCE 111.After the CCE 111 receives the call acknowledgement message, it willthen send a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OKresponse message if SIP is used, toward the calling party. In addition,the CCE 111 also provides the necessary information of the call to bothBE 112 and BE 113 so that the call data exchange can proceed directlybetween BE 112 and BE 113. The call signaling path 150 and the callmedia path 151 are illustratively shown in FIG. 1. Note that the callsignaling path and the call media path are different because once a callhas been setup up between two endpoints, the CCE 111 does not need to bein the data path for actual direct data exchange.

Media Servers (MS) 115 are special servers that typically handle andterminate media streams, and to provide services such as announcements,bridges, transcoding, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) messages forVoIP service applications.

Note that a customer in location A using any endpoint device type withits associated access network type can communicate with another customerin location Z using any endpoint device type with its associated networktype as well. For instance, a customer at location A using IP customerendpoint device 144 with packet based access network 140 can callanother customer at location Z using TDM endpoint device 123 with PSTNaccess network 121. The BEs 112 and 113 are responsible for thenecessary signaling protocol translation, e.g., SS7 to and from SIP, andmedia format conversion, such as TDM voice format to and from IP basedpacket voice format.

The network shown in FIG. 1 can be extended to become a SoIP networkthat supports multi-service applications including, but not limited to,video services. FIG. 2 illustrates a communication architecture 200having an example network, e.g., a packet network such as a SoIP networkrelated to the present invention. A SoIP network supports multi-serviceapplications including voice, data, and video services. In oneembodiment, a SoIP network that supports video services is describedbelow. In this SoIP network, voice services supported include, but arenot limited to, VoIP services; data services supported include, but arenot limited to, Instant Messaging (IM), electronic mail (email),internet access services, or any other IP based applications; and videoservices include, but are not limited to, Video on Demand (VoD),broadcast video, and video conferencing services.

A SoIP network that supports video services comprises an intelligentmulti-service endpoint device connected via packet access networks to aservice provider's SoIP core infrastructure employing Internet Protocol(IP) and/or Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Protocols. Broadlydefined, a SoIP network is a network that is capable of carrying voice,video, and data signals as packetized data over an IP network. Thepresent invention is described below in the context of an illustrativeSoIP network that supports video services. Thus, the present inventionshould not be interpreted to be limited by this particular illustrativearchitecture.

Video endpoint device 232 and 233 are IP based intelligent multi-serviceendpoint device supporting voice, video, and data applications. Videoendpoint device 232 and 233 are signaling endpoints of applicationsessions, e.g. a VoIP session endpoint, an instant messaging endpoint,or a video session endpoint. In one embodiment, a video endpoint deviceis a standalone device that can be connected to home electronicappliances such as, but is not limited to, telephone 234 and 235, TV 236and 237, or Personal Computer (PC) 238 and 239. In another embodiment, avideo endpoint device can be integrated with a TV, a PC, or any homeappliances with a display.

The access networks are packet based. Packet based access networks 230and 231 use, but are not limited to, Frame Relay, ATM, Ethernet, IP, DSLor Cable broadband access network technologies to interconnect a videoendpoint device to a SoIP network that supports video services.

The core SoIP infrastructure that supports video services comprises ofseveral key components, such the Border Element (BE) 212 and 213, theCall Control Element (CCE) 211, SoIP related Application Servers (AS)214, Media Servers (MS) 215, Session Controller (SC) 241, Video ofDemand (VoD) Servers 242, Broadcast Servers (242), and Instant Messaging(IM) Servers 243. A BE resides at the edge of the SoIP coreinfrastructure and interfaces with customers endpoints over varioustypes of access networks. The functions supported by a BE include thosesupported by a BE as previously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. Inaddition, in a SoIP network that supports video services, a BE alsoserves as a gateway between a video endpoint device used by a subscriberand the SoIP core network that supports video services. All applicationsessions initiated by a SoIP subscriber must gain entry to the SoIP corenetwork via a BE. The functions supported by a CCE and a MS are the sameas those previously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. A SessionController (SC) resides within the SoIP infrastructure and is connectedto the BEs using an IP based signaling protocol such as, but is notlimited to, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A SC is responsible forsetting up all application session requests, such as VoIP call requests,video session requests, or data session requests, originated by acustomer within the network and interacts with, if necessary, theappropriate SoIP related AS in order to complete an application sessionthat requires certain service specific features originated by acustomer. A SC also keeps track of all sessions initiated by a customerfor session management and billing purposes as well. The functionssupported by a SoIP related AS include those supported by a VoIP AS aspreviously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. In addition, a SoIP ASalso supports all video specific application features. A VoD Server isresponsible for supporting video on demand video session requestsoriginated by a customer and sends the requested streaming videocontents, such as a movie, to the customer. A Broadcast Server isresponsible for supporting broadcast video session requested originatedby a customer and sends streaming broadcast video contents, such as TVchannels, to the customer. The VoD Server and the Broadcast Server sendsstreaming video contents to video endpoint devices using compressiontechnologies including, but are not limited to, Moving Picture ExpertsGroup (MPEG) 2, MPEG 4, MPEG 7, MPEG 21. An IM Server is responsible forsupporting IM applications involving multiple users. Instant Messagingis a form of electronic communication that involves immediate typed textcorrespondence between two or more users over the Internet who areonline simultaneously. IM is a text-based computer conference over theInternet between two or more people who are online at the same time.

In order to illustrate how the different components in a SoIP networkoperate to support video services, the following scenarios are used toillustrate how voice, data, and video sessions are setup between theSoIP network and a video endpoint. In one embodiment, a customer usingvideo endpoint device 232 at location A places a VoD session request tothe SoIP network that supports video services using TV 236. During thesession initiation, a setup signaling message is sent from videoendpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment 250. BE 212will then send a setup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE messageif SIP is used, to SC 241 using signaling path segment 251. SC 241processes the session requests and forwards the request to theappropriate server for further processing. In this case, the request isa VoD session; therefore, the request will be forwarded to VoD Server242 using signaling path segment 252. SC 241 may interact with AS 214using signaling path segment 259 to verify customer's subscriptioninformation or to retrieve video specific applications or data in orderto complete the session request. Once the VoD session is verified, VoDServer 242 sends the requested VoD streaming contents to BE 212 usingdata path segment 262. BE 212 then forwards the requested VoD streamingcontents to video endpoint 232 using data path segment 260. Similarly, acustomer at location Z using TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 canrequest a VoD session via SC 241 with streaming VoD contents sent by VoDServer 242. Note that a VoD server may be placed closer to end users ina packet access network to serve video endpoints in an alternativeembodiment.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places a broadcast video session request to the SoIP networkthat supports video services using TV 236. During the sessioninitiation, a setup signaling message is sent from video endpoint device232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment 250. BE 212 will then send asetup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, toSC 241 using signaling path segment 251. SC 241 processes the sessionrequests and forwards the request to the appropriate server for furtherprocessing. In this case, the request is a broadcast video session for aparticular premium TV channel; therefore, the request will be forwardedto Broadcast Server 243 using signaling path segment 253. SC 241 mayinteract with AS 214 using signaling path segment 259 to verifycustomer's subscription information or to retrieve video specificapplications or data in order to complete the session request. Once thebroadcast session is verified, Broadcast Server 243 sends the requestedbroadcast video streaming contents to BE 212 using data path segment263. BE 212 then forwards the requested broadcast video streamingcontents to video endpoint 232 using data path segment 260. Similarly, acustomer at location Z using TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 canrequest a broadcast video session via SC 241 with streaming broadcastvideo contents sent by Broadcast Server 243. Note that a Broadcastserver may be placed closer to end users in a packet access network toserve video endpoints in an alternative embodiment.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places an IM session request to the video network using PC238. During the session initiation, a setup signaling message is sentfrom video endpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment250. BE 212 will then send a setup signaling message, including loginand password information of the user, to SC 241 using signaling pathsegment 251. SC 241 processes the session requests and forwards therequest to the appropriate server for further processing. In this case,the request to sign on an IM session; therefore, the request will beforwarded to IM Server 244 using signaling path segment 254. SC 241 mayinteract with AS 214 using signaling path segment 259 to verifycustomer's subscription information or to retrieve IM specificapplications or data in order to complete the session request. Once theIM session is verified, IM Server 244 establishes the requested IM datapath to video endpoint 232 via BE 212 using data path comprising datapath segment 260 and 264. Similarly, a customer at location A using TV236 connected to video endpoint 232 or a customer at location Z using PC239 or TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 can request an IM sessionvia SC 241 with IM functions provided by IM Server 244.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places a VoIP session request destined to video endpointdevice 233 via the SoIP network that supports video services usingtelephone 234. During the session initiation, a setup signaling messageis sent from video endpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling pathsegment 250. BE 212 will then send a setup signaling message, such as aSIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, to SC 241 using signaling pathsegment 251. SC 241 processes the session requests and forwards therequest to the appropriate server for further processing. In this case,the request is a VoIP session for a call destined to a called party atlocation Z; therefore, the request will be forwarded to CCE 211 usingsignaling path segment 255. CCE may interact with AS 214 using signalingpath segment 259 to verify customer's subscription information or toretrieve VoIP specific applications or data in order to complete thesession request. The signaling flows to establish a VoIP call betweenvideo endpoint device 232 and 233 is similar to those describedpreviously in network 100 and FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the ApplicationServer (AS) functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent. Since BE 213needs to be involved in completing the call; CCE 211 sends another callsetup message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, to BE 213using signaling path segment 257. Upon receiving the call setup message,BE 213 forwards the call setup message, via packet access network 231 tovideo endpoint device 233 using signaling path segment 258. Videoendpoint device 233 then identifies telephone 235 and rings thattelephone. Once the call is accepted at location Z by the called party,a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OK responsemessage if SIP is used, is sent in the reverse direction back to the CCE211. After the CCE 211 receives the call acknowledgement message, itwill then send a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP200 OK response message if SIP is used, toward the calling party atlocation A using signaling path comprising signaling path segment 256and 250 via BE 212. In addition, the CCE 211 also provides the necessaryinformation of the call to both BE 212 and BE 213 so that the call dataexchange can proceed directly between BE 212 and BE 213. CCE 211 alsoprovides the call completion status of a VoIP call to SC 241. The callmedia path comprising media path segment 260, 261, and 265 areillustratively shown in FIG. 2. Note that the call signaling path andthe call media path are different because once a call has been setup upbetween two video endpoint devices, SC 241 and CCE 211 does not need tobe in the data path for actual direct data exchange.

As extremely high bandwidth access networks become more accessible toresidential subscribers, they enable service providers of these networksto integrate voice, video, and data, thereby providing more conveniencefor end customers and creating new service opportunities. Due to themulti-service nature of these new services, networks need to provideadditional functionalities to end customers to support integratedcontrol of these different types of services. For example, consumerswill increasingly be buying products that will have RFID tags embeddedin them for inventory control purposes and other business applications.Information stored in RFID tags can be used to help retrieve usefulinformation related to these products. RFID is a technology whichenables an object to be identified using a RFID tag attached to theobject at a distance using radio signal for communications between theRFID tag and a RFID scanner.

To address this need, the present invention enables consumers to scanRFID tags using home based endpoint devices that can transmit thescanned information to network based services. Using the RFID scannedinformation, consumers can then access, retrieve and view additionalinformation regarding products, in which RFIDs are embedded, on videodisplay devices, such as televisions or video display monitors. Thisproduct related information can include interactive technical support,companion product information, or instructional guidelines.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example 300 of providing access of network basedRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) information in a packet network,e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention. In FIG. 3, subscriber371 uses a RFID scanner 338 equipped with or connected to video endpointdevice 332 to scan an object 337, such as an electronic appliance,embedded with a RFID tag. Once the information embedded in the RFID taghas been scanned, video endpoint device 332 sends the scanned RFID datato SC 341 using flow 350 to establish an RFID application session toretrieve information related to object 337. RFID data scanned from aRFID tag may include, but not limited to, a product brand name, a modelnumber, a serial number, a software version, a firmware version, ahardware version, a product code or any product identifying information.

Upon receiving the RFID application session request, SC 341 determinesthat the request is an RFID application session request and forwards therequest to RFID Information Application Server 342 using flow 351 toestablish a RFID application session between subscriber 371 and RFIDInformation Application Server 342. RFID Information Application Server342 then uses the established RFID application session to receive thescanned RFID data from subscriber 371. Then, RFID InformationApplication Server 342 uses the received scanned RFID data to retrieveinformation related to object 337 and then sends the retrievedinformation to subscriber 371 via video endpoint 332 using flow 352.Retrieved information related to object 371 includes, but not limitedto, product related information, interactive technical support,companion product information, or instructional guidelines. Theretrieved information will be displayed on TV 339 in an independentdisplay frame. Subscriber 371 then reviews the returned informationrelated to object 337 and determines which results will be of interestand request further details.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for providing access ofnetwork based Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information in apacket network, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention. Method400 starts in step 405 and proceeds to step 410.

In step 410, the method receives a RFID application session request froma subscriber. For example, the request is received by a SC.

In step 415, the method establishes a RFID application session to thesubscriber. The SC forwards the RFID application session request to aRFID Information Application Server for processing. The RFID InformationApplication Server will establish a RFID application session between theRFID Information Application Server and the subscriber.

In step 420, the method receives the RFID data scanned from an RFID tagembedded in an object by the subscriber. The RFID data is received bythe RFID Information Application Server.

In step 425, the method uses the received RFID data to perform search toretrieve information related to the object identified by the receivedRFID data scanned from the RFID tag embedded within the object. RFIDdata scanned from a RFID tag may include, but not limited to, a productbrand name, a model number, a serial number, a software version, afirmware version, a hardware version, a product code or any productidentifying information. An RFID Information Application Server uses thescanned RFID tag data as inputs to perform a query in a database toretrieve information related to the object embedded with the RFID tag.

In step 430, the method sends the retrieved information related to theobject to the subscriber via a video endpoint device. The retrievedinformation is sent by the RFID Information Application Server to thesubscriber. Retrieved information related to the object being queriedincludes, but not limited to, product related information, interactivetechnical support, companion product information, or instructionalguidelines. The returned results will be displayed in an independentdisplay frame on a video display device currently used by thesubscriber. The subscriber can then determine the result of interestbefore proceeding to request further details. The method ends in step440.

FIG. 5 depicts a high level block diagram of a general purpose computersuitable for use in performing the functions described herein. Asdepicted in FIG. 5, the system 500 comprises a processor element 502(e.g., a CPU), a memory 504, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/orread only memory (ROM), a module 505 for accessing network based RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) information, and various input/outputdevices 506 (e.g., storage devices, including but not limited to, a tapedrive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, areceiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, anoutput port, and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, amouse, and the like)).

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented insoftware and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., usingapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a general purposecomputer or any other hardware equivalents. In one embodiment, thepresent module or process 505 for accessing network based RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) information can be loaded into memory504 and executed by processor 502 to implement the functions asdiscussed above. As such, the present process 505 for accessing networkbased Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) information (includingassociated data structures) of the present invention can be stored on acomputer readable medium or carrier, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic oroptical drive or diskette and the like.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing information in acommunication network, comprising: receiving, by a processor of anapplication server deployed in the communication network, a radiofrequency identification and a request for information associated withthe radio frequency identification from a device of a subscriber via anapplication session, wherein the device of the subscriber comprises ahome based video display device, wherein the application session isestablished between the application server and the device of thesubscriber by a session controller deployed in the communicationnetwork; performing, by the processor, a search to retrieve theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification, whereinthe search is in response to the request from the device of thesubscriber; and forwarding, by the processor via the applicationsession, the information associated with the radio frequencyidentification to the device of the subscriber for display on the homebased video display device, wherein the subscriber has a subscription toa telephony communications service with the communication network. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network is a serviceover internet protocol network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theperforming further comprises: executing the search using the radiofrequency identification to retrieve the information associated with theradio frequency identification.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisesproduct related information.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisesinteractive technical support.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisescompanion product information.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisesinstructional guidelines.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiofrequency identification comprises a model number.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification comprises a serialnumber.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequencyidentification comprises product identifying information.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification comprises afirmware version.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequencyidentification is scanned using a radio frequency identification scannerthat is in communication with the device of the subscriber.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the application session is for presenting theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification and isdisplayed in an independent display frame on the device of thesubscriber.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing aplurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of anapplication server deployed in a communication network, cause theprocessor to perform operations for providing information in thecommunication network, the operations comprising: receiving a radiofrequency identification and a request for information associated withthe radio frequency identification from a device of a subscriber via anapplication session, wherein the device of the subscriber comprises ahome based video display device, wherein the application session isestablished between the application server and the device of thesubscriber by a session controller deployed in the communicationnetwork; performing a search to retrieve information associated with theradio frequency identification, wherein the search is in response to therequest from the device of the subscriber; and forwarding, via theapplication session, the information associated with the radio frequencyidentification to the device of the subscriber for display on the homebased video display device, wherein the subscriber has a subscription toa telephony communications service with the communication network. 15.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein theperforming further comprises: executing the search using the radiofrequency identification to retrieve the information associated with theradio frequency identification.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the information associated with the radiofrequency identification comprises product related information.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisesinteractive technical support.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the information associated with the radiofrequency identification comprises companion product information. 19.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein theinformation associated with the radio frequency identification comprisesinstructional guidelines.
 20. An apparatus for providing information ina communication network, comprising: a processor of an applicationserver deployed in the communication network; and a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations,the operations comprising: receiving a radio frequency identificationand a request for information associated with the radio frequencyidentification from a device of a subscriber via an application session,wherein the device of the subscriber comprises a home based videodisplay device, wherein the application session is established betweenthe application server and the device of the subscriber by a sessioncontroller deployed in the communication network; performing a search toretrieve information associated with the radio frequency identification,wherein the search is in response to the request from the device of thesubscriber; and forwarding, via the application session, the informationassociated with the radio frequency identification to the device of thesubscriber for display on the home based video display device, whereinthe subscriber has a subscription to a telephony communications servicewith the communication network.